Description
Festive peanut butter reindeer cookies bring holiday cheer with adorable chocolate-antlered treats. Rudolph-inspired delights delight children and adults, offering a playful sweet connection to Christmas memories.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (125 g) creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 ¼ cups (160 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) packed brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- mini pretzels (for antlers)
- candy eyes
- red candy-coated chocolates (e.g., M&Ms for the nose)
Instructions
- Mixing Base: Thoroughly cream butter, peanut butter, and sugars in a large mixing bowl until the mixture transforms into a silky, uniform blend with a light, whipped texture.
- Binding Agents: Gently fold in egg and vanilla extract, stirring methodically until the batter becomes glossy and well-incorporated, creating a smooth foundation for the cookie dough.
- Dry Ingredient Preparation: Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together, ensuring a lightweight and evenly distributed dry mixture that will provide structure to the cookies.
- Dough Formation: Merge dry ingredients into the wet mixture, folding carefully and minimally to prevent overworking, until a cohesive, tender dough develops with a consistent texture.
- Resting Phase: Wrap the dough securely and refrigerate, allowing the ingredients to meld and intensify flavors while providing optimal consistency for shaping and baking.
Notes
- Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading during baking and enhance flavor complexity.
- Prevent Overworking: Mix ingredients gently to maintain a tender cookie texture, stopping when the dough just comes together to avoid tough cookies.
- Control Moisture Balance: Use room temperature butter and egg for smoother incorporation and more consistent cookie spread during baking.
- Shape with Precision: When forming reindeer shapes, use clean hands and minimal handling to keep the dough’s delicate structure intact.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 23
- Calories: 169
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 76 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg